Secrets are not the easiest things to disclose, yet we all have them, but when we do disclose them, sometimes the shame is unbearable. That is exactly what happened to the 2016 NFL Draft’s top pass rusher Noah Spence.
A 6- foot- 3, 261 pound for pound chiseled defensive end out of Eastern Kentucky, earning Co- Defensive Player of the Year honors in the Ohio Valley Conference with 63 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries, has struggled with drug abuse since his senior year in high school.
He was coach Urban Meyer’s first five star (highest ranking of talent given) recruit to commit to Ohio State University as the nation’s top ranked defensive end. He saw playing time in spot duty as a true freshman during Ohio State’s run to a 12-0 record in 2012 (team ineligible to compete in a bowl game), before breaking out as a sophomore and first year starter in 2013 with 7.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss and 50 tackles over 12 starts.
Unfortunately, as Ohio State prepared for a matchup against the Clemson Tigers in the Orange Bowl
It is very popular in parties and clubs because of the stimulant and hallucinogenic effects and heightening one’s sense especially to touch after being consumed in a pill form, dissolving in liquid drinks.
Ineligible to play in the Orange Bowl due to his first failed drug test, Spence’s family claimed he didn’t know and was unknowingly slipped Ecstasy while being given an open drink at a party and the family even contemplated suing the Big Ten Conference. Spence was telling friends, family and coaches that he was innocent and didn’t have a problem with drugs.
As a first time violation for a failed drug test, Spence was suspended for three games, including the Orange Bowl matchup and the first two games of the 2014 season.
In 2013, Spence received All- Big Ten accolades for his on the field performance and was also named Academic All- Big Ten Conference. However, news broke out that Spence failed a second drug test on Sept. 2014.
It became very clear Spence lied about what happened the first time and that he has a problem.
Spence finally admitted to family, friends and the team about his addiction to Ecstasy since his senior season in high school.
Coach Meyer helped Spence into a drug- treatment program connected to Ohio State soon after.
Spence was dismissed from Ohio State after his sophomore season after being ruled permanently ineligible and his appeal was denied by the Big Ten for violating school and conference rules after a second failed drug test.
Unable to return to OSU, Spence chose to transfer to Eastern Kentucky University and play for Coach Dean Hood.
With players like Josh Gordon (Cleveland wide reciever), Tyrann Mathieu (Arizona defensive back, got his life back in order)and many others all over the NFL landscape struggling with problems with drugs, it is of up most importance that Spence put these problems behind him and continues to rebuild his image off and on the field.
NFL Pro Prospect 
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